BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter 58: Echoes of Absence

LUKE

The morning sun pierced through the curtains, casting long shadows across the room. I woke up with a heavy heart, still haunted by last night's emotional breakdown in front of Emily. The memory was vivid – her coming to collect her things to take back to the hotel, her words echoing in my mind, "I can't do this anymore." The way she walked towards the elevator had ignited an unbearable pain inside me, a kind I had never experienced before. It was as if every fear, every doubt I had ever had about myself, was confirmed in that single moment.

My father's venomous words echoed in my head, a cruel reminder of his belief that I was incapable of being loved, especially by someone as pure and good as Emily. "You're just as damaged as I am, Luke. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Damaged goods... just like him." His voice was a relentless echo, pushing me towards a dark abyss of self-loathing. In my desperate attempt to silence these thoughts, I lost control, my fists meeting the wall in a futile attempt to punish myself for the pain I had caused her.

Even amidst her own pain, Emily had rushed to my side, her tears and screams for me to stop piercing the haze of my rage. It was her kiss, the softness of her lips against mine, that brought me back from the edge, anchoring me to the present. Her care as she tended to my injured hand, her gentle touch as she helped me into bed, was a balm to my tormented soul. Wrapping my arms around her felt like being in a sanctuary, a place where the chaos of the world couldn't reach us. But exhaustion took over, and I succumbed to sleep, the first real rest I'd had in days.

But now, waking up to find her gone was like a punch to the gut. The emptiness of the bed was a silent testament to her departure. Her warmth is a lingering memory. The sight of her duffel bag gone only confirmed my fears – she had left in the middle of the night. Regret washed over me for not staying awake, for not cherishing every moment I had with her. The room felt emptier than ever, a stark reminder of the void her absence had left in my life.

I sat up, rubbing my face in frustration. The pain from the cuts on my hand was a stark reminder of the night before, of the emotional turmoil that had consumed us both. I couldn't shake off the feeling of despair, the gnawing thought that I had lost her for good. The thought of facing the day without her felt insurmountable.

But I couldn't just sit there and wallow in my misery. I had to do something, anything, to try and fix what I had broken. I knew it wouldn't be easy, that the road to redemption was long and fraught with uncertainty. But I couldn't give up, not when so much was at stake.

With a deep breath, I forced myself to get out of bed. The penthouse felt more like a prison than a home without her. Every corner, every piece of furniture, was a reminder of the life we had shared, of the happiness that now felt like a distant memory.

I decided to head to the office, hoping to find some semblance of normalcy in the routine of work. But as I made my way through the city, the bustling streets felt alien, the people around me mere shadows. My mind was consumed with thoughts of Emily – her smile, her laughter, the way she looked at me with love and trust.

I arrived at the office, but the usual hustle and bustle felt meaningless. My heart wasn't in it. All I could think about was finding a way to win Emily back, to show her that despite my flaws, despite the mistakes I had made, my love for her was real and unending.

As I sat in my office, staring blankly at the computer screen, I realized that no amount of work could fill the emptiness inside me. Emily was my heart, my soul, and without her, nothing made sense.

I had to find her. I had to talk to her, apologize, and hope that somehow, she could find it in her heart to forgive me. The thought of losing her was unbearable, a future too bleak to contemplate.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I decided to reach out to Max again. Maybe he had heard from her, maybe he knew when she was coming back to work. I had to try, I had to fight for us, for feelings that I knew was worth fighting for.

—

"Luke, I can't even fathom how you thought this was okay," Max's voice was a blend of fury and disbelief. "You led Emily to believe in a fairytale, and it turns out to be nothing but a strategic move? Man, that's low, even for you."

I could hear the disappointment in Max's voice, a reflection of my own guilt. I had confided in him about the impromptu marriage in Brazil, but not the full story – not the real, calculated reason behind it. He had always seen through the facade of my denials, recognizing the chemistry between Emily and me, even when I refused to acknowledge it.

Max's anger wasn't just about being kept in the dark; it was about Emily. He cared for her, respected her, and my actions had put him in an impossible position.

"Max, I know I screwed up. I never meant to hurt her," I replied, my voice laden with regret.

"You didn't just screw up, Luke. You bulldozed through her feelings with a damn tank," Max shot back, his tone laced with anger and a protective edge. "And you want to know the worst part? You shattered the one good thing you had going for you".

Max's anger softened slightly, but his disappointment remained. "I've seen you with her, Luke. You're different around her. For once in your life, you looked genuinely happy. And what do you do? You mess it up with your secrets and lies."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know, Max. And I'm trying to fix it. I swear, I really care about her. She means everything to me."

Max let out a sarcastic laugh. "Well, congrats on realizing it now. A bit late, don't you think? Emily doesn't deserve this. She's... she's genuine, and you... you played her!. And as your best friend, I'm telling you, you need to grovel. Big time. And even then, it might not be enough."

I rubbed my temples, feeling the headache of guilt grow. "I need to fix this, Max. I have to make it right."

Max sighed heavily. "Good luck with that. You're going to need it. And for the record, I'm doing this for Emily, not for you. She's a gem, and you... well, you're just lucky she even glanced your way."

I chuckled despite the situation, knowing Max's words, though harsh, were rooted in his unwavering honesty. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, buddy."

"Don't 'buddy' me right now, Luke. You're in the doghouse, big time. I'm still on team Emily. Just don't screw it up, alright? And hey, maybe try being a little less of an asshole in the future".

I managed a chuckle despite the situation. "I'll work on it."

Max sighed deeply. " But I'll tell you if she contacts me. Just... try not to mess it up more, okay?" Max's tone was stern, but I could detect a hint of concern beneath the surface.

"And thanks... for being brutally honest with me."

We ended the call with a mutual understanding. Max was clearly upset with me, but his loyalty as a friend remained. His words were harsh but necessary, a much-needed reality check. Now, it was up to me to prove that I was worth the second chance I was so desperately hoping for.